Tips and Tricks on How to Pass the AWS Certified Developer Associate Exam
Passing the AWS Certified Developer Associate (DVA-C02) exam was a significant milestone for me on my cloud journey. In this post, I’ll share my experience, the strategies I used to prepare, and tips to help you ace this certification too.
Why Choose This Exam
As a DevOps Engineer with a strong interest in Cloud-Native and serverless application development, I wanted to deepen my knowledge of AWS services from a developer’s perspective. In today’s DevOps landscape, Kubernetes certifications (CKA, CKAD, CKS) and AWS Associate or Professional certifications are among the most in-demand credentials. Having already earned the CKA and the AWS Cloud Practitioner certifications, I decided to pursue the AWS Certified Developer Associate as the next step in my journey toward becoming a Cloud-Native DevOps Expert.
This certification focuses on developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications, aligning perfectly with my career goals and my focus on DevOps. It also serves as an important milestone on the path to achieving the AWS Certified DevOps Professional certification, which is my ultimate goal. Additionally, preparing for this exam allowed me to explore AWS and serverless architecture in depth, teaching me valuable lessons about implementing and applying best practices for serverless applications. Passing the exam has brought me one step closer to realizing my aspirations.
Resources Used
Whizlabs Online Course
Whizlabs AWS Certified Developer Associate Course
The Whizlabs “AWS Certified Developer Associate” course offers many hours of video lessons, over 100 hands-on labs with a temporary AWS environment, and a sandbox environment for practice. These resources ensure you don’t need your own AWS account, reducing the risk of unexpected costs. Additionally, the course includes six practice exams and sectional tests to focus on specific topics like Lambda, API Gateway, and CloudFormation.
While the course covers topics in more detail than required for the exam, this ensures thorough preparation. Though initially frustrating, the effort pays off. I failed most practice exams on the first attempt but learned from my mistakes. On the actual exam, I scored 85% (passing requires 72%). I recommend starting with the video lessons and then diving into the hands-on labs.
If you’re not in a rush, look out for promotions. I purchased the course during a Black Friday sale for only €35, and access is valid for two years.
- Key Features:
- Comprehensive video lessons.
- 100+ hands-on labs with temporary AWS environments.
- An AWS sandbox environment for practice.
- 6 practice exams and section-specific tests (Lambda, API Gateway, CloudFormation, etc.).
This course provided more than enough material to prepare for the exam. While some content went beyond what was necessary, it ensured I was well-prepared. The hands-on labs were especially enjoyable and effective for learning real-world applications while becoming familiar with the AWS Console and CLI.
Tip: Look out for promotions. I purchased the course during a Black Friday sale for only €35, with two years of access.
Udemy Courses
- Ultimate AWS Certified Developer Associate 2025 DVA-C02
- Practice Exams | AWS Certified Developer Associate 2024
The Udemy course by Stephane Maarek provides 33 hours of video lessons and covers all exam-relevant topics in depth. Each feature is introduced with theory and hands-on labs (AWS account required). I used this course for additional material and found it particularly helpful in combination with the Udemy practice exams. These practice tests are excellent for identifying weak areas and improving before taking the real exam.
AWS Skill Builder
AWS Skill Builder offers free material, including a complete course for the Developer Associate exam. While colleagues have found it helpful, I didn’t use it extensively.
AWS Account Usage
While I initially avoided opening my own AWS account, I found it necessary toward the end of my studies to explore the console and experiment beyond the limitations of the Whizlabs labs. AWS’s free tier allowed me to practice safely and expand my understanding.
Recommended Approach
- Take all practice exams once without stressing about the initial scores.
- Review incorrect answers, revisit relevant video lectures, and redo labs as needed.
- Retake the practice exams to ensure a passing score.
Exam Day Experience
I took the online proctored exam. Here are my tips for exam day:
- Plan Ahead: The online check-in process can take time. Start at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment.
- System Check: Run a system compatibility check well in advance to avoid last-minute surprises.
- Exam Details: The exam consists of 65 questions. Non-native English speakers can request an additional 30 minutes.
- Strategy: Answer all questions on the first go and flag any you’re unsure about. If you have no clue, make an educated guess and move on. This approach ensures you complete all questions without wasting time. Use any remaining time to revisit flagged questions.
Key Insights and Advice
- Start with Structured Learning: Begin with video lessons to build a foundation.
- Prioritize Hands-On Practice: Labs are essential for understanding AWS services and their real-world applications.
- Don’t Fear Practice Exam Scores: The actual exam is often less challenging than practice tests. I scored 85% on the real exam despite struggling with some practice tests.
- Open Your Own AWS Account: While Whizlabs provides a controlled lab environment, creating your own AWS account (using the free tier) helps you explore features and services more freely.
What’s Next for Me
I still have several certifications I aim to achieve, including:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate: I’ve already purchased the Whizlabs course (link).
- CKAD and CKS: To enhance my Kubernetes expertise.
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional.
In addition to certifications, I want to gain hands-on cloud-native development experience. I plan to build projects and share them on my website, DevOpsBug. Currently, I’m working on a children’s language-learning game and will share progress updates and new projects on my blog.
I hope my experience and tips help you in your journey to achieve the AWS Certified Developer Associate certification.
🙂 Happy coding!